Optical multiplexing / demultiplexing device

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is an optical multiplexing/demultiplexing device having a structure wherein a curved waveguide for input, linear waveguides for output, and a planar waveguide are provided within a substrate, and the curved waveguide is made discontinuous by the planar waveguide and the curved waveguide and planar waveguide are separated from each other with an equal interval interposed therebetween. A light signal inputted to the curved waveguide is reflected by discontinuous surfaces of the curved waveguide. Afterwards, the respective reflected light signals are distributed to their corresponding linear waveguides through the planar waveguide every wavelengths and focused thereon. Further, the light signals of the respective wavelengths, which are inputted to the linear waveguides, are multiplexed by and focused on the discontinuous portions of the curved waveguide.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an optical waveguide element or device for separating or demultiplexing a wavelength-multiplexed input light signal every wavelengths and outputting the same therefrom. The present invention relates particularly to an optical multiplexing/demultiplexing device having a waveguide formed within a planar waveguide.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] In the field of optical communications, a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system has been developed which brings a plurality of signals into signal form set as different lights and transmitting them via an optical fiber. The present system needs to multiplex or demultiplex the lights different in wavelength for their input/output. Various types of elements or devices such as an array waveguide grating device, a device using a grating, etc. have heretofore been known as such types of optical branching or demultiplexing devices. FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively show examples of optical demultiplexing devices each using a grating.

[0005] The device shown in FIG. 1 has a structure in which a linear optical waveguide 2 is provided on a substrate 1 and a linear chirp grating 3 is formed thereon. A planar waveguide 4 is provided side by side with the linear optical waveguide 2. The planar waveguide 4 takes a configuration in which optical waveguides 5 for output are connected thereto at its boundary surface. Light incident from one end of the linear optical waveguide 2 is reflected by the grating 3 and inputted to the planar waveguide 4 through the linear waveguide 2.

[0006] The cycle of the grating becomes small as it proceeds to its end. Thus, the light propagates so as to converge on the boundary portion of the planar waveguide 4 as shown in FIG. 1. Light-gathering points differ from one another every wavelengths depending on the state of interference of light dependent on the wavelengths at this boundary. The provision of the output waveguides 5 at the boundary makes it possible to take out the lights every wavelengths. A method of avoiding the use of such a special grating as seen in the structure of FIG. 1 has also been proposed as shown in FIG. 2.

[0007] In a structure of FIG. 2, a curved waveguide 13 laid out in arc form, other than the linear waveguide is provided with equidistant gratings. Further, a planar waveguide 14 having a shape extending along the curved waveguide 13, is provided, and output waveguides 15 are placed in a central position of a circular arc of the curved waveguide 13. The gratings are set diagonally to the center of the waveguide in such a manner that lights reflected by the gratings converge on the center of the circular arc. If the structure of FIG. 2 is adopted, then the lights can be focused on one point even if the equidistant gratings are provided.

[0008] However, the conventional structure has a drawback in that the optimum focal position is substantially one point, i.e., an output value decreases in the case of each wavelength deviate from the focal point. A problem arises in that the acquisition of a certain degree of output by wavelengths other than at the optimum focal position needs to reduce a change in focal position with respect to the distance extending from each grating to the focal point, thus leading to an increase in the overall length of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention aims to replace a conventionally used grating by a reflecting surface producible according to a waveguide producing process and has a structure wherein a curved waveguide for input, output waveguides and a planar waveguide are provided within a substrate, the curved waveguide for input is rendered discontinuous by the planar waveguide, and the curved waveguide and planar waveguide are spaced away from each other with an equal interval interposed therebetween.

[0010] Further, a light signal is reflected by each individual discontinuous surfaces and wavelength-demultiplexed through the substrate and planar waveguide. The demultiplexed lights are respectively focused on the output waveguides every wavelengths. As a result, a structure can be formed which includes an optimum waveguide shape and reflecting surfaces, and hence a device good in controllability can be formed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention, it is believed that the invention, the objects and features of the invention and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a plan view for describing an optical demultiplexing device having a linear grating structure, according to a prior art;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a plan view for describing an optical demultiplexing device having a circular grating structure, according to a prior art;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a plan view of an optical multiplexing/demultiplexing device for describing a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a coordinate system for describing the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the multiplexing/demultiplexing device for describing the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a simulation result of output strengths of the optical demultiplexing device showing the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 7 is a simulation result of output strengths of the optical demultiplexing device illustrating the first embodiment of the present invention; and

[0019]FIG. 8 is a plan view of an optical multiplexing/demultiplexing device for describing a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021]FIG. 3 is a plan view for describing a first embodiment. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 21 indicates a substrate, reference numeral 22 indicates a planar optical waveguide, reference numeral 23 indicates an input waveguide, and reference numeral 24 indicates a curved waveguide, which has such a structure as to trap or block up light with each portion high in equivalent refractive index in the substrate 21 and allows it to propagate. Discontinuous portions 25 are equivalent to discontinuous structures defined in the curved waveguide 24 and are those for reflecting light propagated in the curved waveguide 24. Reference numerals 28 indicate output waveguides. The planar optical waveguide 22 is formed so as to be spaced away from the input waveguide 23 with an equal interval defined therebetween. On the other hand, a planar waveguide is provided over the whole surface of the substrate and an input waveguide may be formed therein.

[0022] A waveguide structure having an opening defined in a light-focused position 27 guides light to each output waveguide 28. Each of the discontinuous portions 25 has the function of reflecting light by both boundary surfaces 26 a, b. The number of the reflecting surfaces can also be set to one according to their structures. The reflecting surface 27 has the function of reflecting the reflected light in the direction of the output waveguide. The reflecting surface is formed by an etching technique or the like.

[0023] In the present invention, lights reflected by a number of reflecting surfaces are set so as to produce the maximum outputs at two most-suitable focal centers 27. If the distance between the boundary surfaces 26 a, b is cut short to some extent, it is then also possible to increase an output of light having a wavelength brought into focus at a position therebetween.

[0024]FIG. 4 shows a curve structure of a block-in waveguide for each curved waveguide 24. The curved waveguide 24 is separated into small intervals or sections each having a length of dL₁. Discontinuous portions 25=A, A′ corresponding to reflecting surfaces are provided at both ends of dL₁. Lights from the reflecting surfaces are focused on an optimum focal center 27. A triangle aAA′ has a side AA′ of a curved waveguide 24 inclined to a side bc of an isosceles triangle abc. The side AA′ is inclined only dΦ toward the side bc.

[0025] A small section of another curved waveguide 24 is connected subsequent to the small section of one curved waveguide 24. A triangle formed by the small section and the optimum focal center 27 similarly has a structure in which the side of the curved waveguide 24 is inclined to an isosceles triangle. This inclination dΦ′ may vary for each small section.

[0026] The small sections are connected to one another in this way to thereby form the whole curve of the curved waveguides 24. When the side AA′ of the curved waveguide 24 is made parallel (identical) to the side bc, i.e., dΦ=0, the curve designated at numeral 24 results in an circular arc. Incidentally, the apex angles of the triangles aAA′ and abc will be defined as dθ. Let's assume that the angle of each of these triangles with respect to the horizontal axis is θ and the length of the side ac line thereof is L₂. Coordinates are represented as Z as viewed in a vertical direction and D as viewed in a horizontal direction.

[0027] When the difference in phase between lights from the discontinuous portions 25 at the respective reflecting surfaces is constant at the optimum focal center 27, lights emitted from an array waveguide to a planar waveguide by a conventional array waveguide diffraction grating element or device are gathered in the vicinity of the optimum focal center 27 every wavelengths under the same action as when the lights are caused to converge on many ends of the planar waveguide.

[0028] Light introduced from the input waveguide 23 is successively reflected by the reflecting surfaces A and A′ and focused on the optimum focal center 27. A phase difference corresponding to the sum of a phase difference caused by a propagation distance dL₁ and a phase difference caused by a difference dL₂ in propagation distance developed by the inclination of the side AA′ is developed between the light reflected at A and the light reflected at A′. Since the reflecting surfaces A and A′ are equally distant from the optimum focal center 27 when the curved waveguide 24 is represented in the form of a circular arc, no difference dL₂ in propagation distance occurs.

[0029] When the curved waveguide 24 is not given as the circular arc, it is necessary to contrive the way of providing the curve of the curved waveguide 24 and the discontinuous portions 25 corresponding to the reflecting surfaces. When the output waveguide is provided in plural form, the phases must satisfy specific conditions with respect to a plurality of different optimum focal centers 27 in a single curved waveguide 24. Since dL₁ is fixed, no problem occurs, whereas when the optimum focal center 27 is shifted, dL₂ varies.

[0030] It is necessary to keep constant changes in phase due to the shifting of the optimum focal centers 27 in the respective small areas of the curved waveguide 24. Since chirping occurs in the difference in phase between the discontinuous portions 25 corresponding to the respective reflecting surfaces when this condition is not met, an optical field distribution will diminished at each light-gathering point. This will bring about an increase in loss and an increase in crosstalk in terms of performance.

[0031] Next, a phase error is analyzed with reference to FIG. 5 to produce or derive a curved structure of a curved waveguide 24. The shifting of an optimum focal center 27 is associated with an angle dΦ is changed by an angle δ in FIG. 5. The following relation is derived from FIG. 5 between dL₁, L₂, dθ and dΦ.

sin(dθ/2)=dL ₁cos(dΦ)/(2L ₂ +dL ₂)  (1)

[0032] Using an equation obtained from a cosine theorem in place of the expression also yields the same result.

[0033] The following relation is established between dL₂ and dL₁.

dL ₂ =dL ₁sin(dΦ)/cos(dθ/2)  (2)

[0034] Next, dL=n_(w)dL₁+n_(s)dL₂ needs to be identical over all the small sections so that no phase chirping is developed at each optimum focal position. Now, n_(w) and n_(s) respectively indicate equivalent refractive indexes of the curved waveguide 24 and planar waveguide 22.

[0035] From the above, the following relations are obtained:

dL ₁ =dL/[n _(w) +n _(s)sin(dΦ)/cos(dθ/2)]  (3a)

dL ₂ =dL/[n _(s) +n _(w)cos(dθ/2)/sin(dΦ)]  (3b)

[0036] An approximate calculation to the expression (1) is carried out. When dL₁ is very short and dL₁/L₂<<1, dθ is obtained as dθ<<1.

[0037] Further, sin(dθ/2) is rewritten in the following manner using the expression (3):

sin(dθ/2)=cos(dΦ)/[2L ₂ /dL](n _(w) +n _(s)sin(dΦ))+sin(dΦ)]  (4)

[0038] dΦ can be set at random. Operating characteristics of the device can be set according to a change in small section number.

[0039] dL₁ remains unchanged even in the case of the shifting of the optimum focal center 27, and the difference dL₂ between the distances extending from A and A to 27 contributes to a change in phase difference. A change δdL₂ in dL₂ when the focal position is changed by S, is derived from the expression (2) as follows:

δdL ₂ =dL ₁[sin(dΦ+S/L ₂)−sin(dΦ)]/cos(dθ/2)=dL ₂[cos(S/L ₂)−1]+sin(S/L ₂)(2L ₂ +dL ₂)tan(dθ/2)  (5)

[0040] δdL₂ is 0 at the optimum focal position of S=0 and no phase chirping is developed. Thus, the device produces an output at the maximum power. When S is not equal to 0, a phase error given by the expression (5) is normally developed and output power is reduced. However, δdL₂ can be set to a constant δdL₂C with respect to a certain value of S without depending on a small section.

[0041] When dL₁ and tan(dθ/2)≅sin(dθ/2) are represented as an expression of Φ from the expressions (3) and (4) under the above conditions, and a change in Φ at each small section number is determined, a device structure can be obtained in which δdL₂ is constant at S (focal position S_(C)) with respect to its change. Eventually, no phase error occurs at the two positions of S=0 and SC, and a device can be obtained which produces the maximum output.

[0042] An expression for obtaining dΦ is represented as follows:

{[δdL _(2C) −dLcos(S _(C) /L ₂)+dL]+sin²(S _(C) /L ₂)dL ₂}sin²(dΦ)+2δdL _(2C) [δdL _(2C) −dLcos(S _(C) /L ₂)+dL]sin(dΦ)+δdL _(2C) ²−sin²(S _(C) /L ₂)dL ²=0  (6)

[0043] Waveguide patterns are designed as follows. D and z coordinates are given to a start position of a waveguide having reflecting surfaces. Thereafter, an initial value θ=atan(Z/D) of an angle θ and L₂ are determined from the coordinates. Further, dΦ is provided to determine a start angle of the waveguide. DΦ is set to θ (dΦ=θ) to start the waveguide perpendicularly to a chip end surface.

[0044] Afterwards, θ of the next section is determined from dθ and θ+dθ determined from the expression (4). Coordinates D and Z at an end of a small section are determined from D−dL₁sin(θ−dΦ+dθ/2) and Z+dL₁cos(θ−dΦ+dθ/2). As a result, the new L₂ of the next small section is obtained. Thereafter, a new dθ is obtained from the expressing (4) using dΦ determined from the expression (6), whereby the end coordinates D and Z of the new small section are obtained.

[0045] A design method for providing a third optimum focal point is difficult because the degree of freedom of a structure is insufficient (dΦ and L₂ are determined uniquely as is understood from the expression (6), and L₂ need to be different from each other every small sections except when dΦ=0, thus causing a contradiction). Only the provision of conditions under which second and third output characteristics are identical to each other, is allowed and hence the maximum output cannot be obtained.

[0046] The analysis of design conditions will be explained below. S_(ca,b) indicate two optimum focal points other than 0.

[0047] If L_(2C) is an initial value of L₂, then

δdL _(2ca,b) =dL ₁[cos (S _(ca,b) /L _(2C))1]+sin(S _(ca,b) /L _(2C))(2L _(2C) +dL _(2C))tan(dθ/2)  (7a)

dL ₂ =[−δdL _(2cb)sin(S _(ca) /L ₂)+δdL _(2ca)sin(S _(cb) /L ₂)]/{sin(S _(cb) /L ₂ −S _(ca) /L ₂)−[sin(S _(cb) /L ₂)−sin(S _(ca) /L ₂)]}  (7b)

[0048] As the waveguide becomes an arc structure, an output value increases. However, the arc structure is poor in wavelength resolution as shown below.

[0049] A method of series-connecting the structures of the intput waveguides 23 respectively having a plurality of different optimum focal points as viewed in the direction in which light propagates through the input waveguide 23, and dispersing the optimum focal points can be used for the placement of the output waveguides 28 in their corresponding optimum focal points. The output value is reduced in principle. However, when a shift in S is substantially equal to or smaller than S_(C), a prominent reduction in output value does not appear in terms of practical use.

[0050] Alternatively, structures having optimum focal points different from one another may overlap. In other words, they are structures wherein a pair of input waveguides 23 with respect to respective wavelength are connected in parallel in plural form. The connection thereof in plural form allows an improvement in output strength.

[0051] A dispersion indicative of the speed at which the focal point moves according to the wavelength, is given approximately from λΔS/Δλ=[n_(w)/n_(s)+sin(dΦ)]L_(2a)/cos(dΦ). In the expression, L_(2a) indicates the mean value of L₂. As DΦ becomes close to the right angle (close to a straight line), the dispersion of the focal points increases. It is understood from the result of simulation that the dispersion thereof becomes great as S decreases.

[0052]FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively show examples of operating characteristics at a 1.55 μm band, according to the first embodiment. In the examples, five times the wavelength, 2000 and {fraction (π/2.1)} were respectively used as dL, the number of reflecting surfaces of curved waveguides 24, and an initial value of θ. An example of a serial arrangement wherein two waveguides in which an initial value of Z is 50000 μm, Sc is −6 mm and Sc is shifted −6 mm against first waveguide, are combined into one, was used in FIG. 6. An example of a serial arrangement wherein two waveguides in which an initial value of Z is 40000 μm, Sc is −3 mm and Sc is shifted −2 mm against first waveguide, was used in FIG. 7.

[0053] Shifting a structure designed under similar parameters and having only one optimum focal position from the optimum wavelength by 5 nm results in a half reduction in output value. It is however understood that a high output is produced within a range of 30 nm under the structure employed in the first embodiment. In the case of a 1.55 μm-band wavelength employed in optical communications, a device with small characteristic change between output waveguides over the range of 30 nm can be implemented with an overall length of about 6 cm.

[0054]FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a planar waveguide 32 and a connecting surface 36 of an output waveguide are designed so as to be inclined toward each output waveguide 37. Since L_(2a) is small at a small portion of S large in dispersion in the present structure, dispersions set every waveguides can be made uniform. Further, since output values can be outputted according to narrower changes in S position with the same output-waveguide pitches, they can easily be uniformized.

[0055] In FIG. 8, a light-detecting element is used as the output waveguide 37. Mirrors 39 each used as an optical-path changing means are provided to allow lights 38 a, b reflected from discontinuous portions 35 corresponding to reflecting surfaces to well converge on their corresponding output waveguide 37. Side faces of openings defined by etching are used as the mirrors 39 respectively.

[0056] As described above, an optical multiplexing/demultiplexing device can be implemented which is simple in manufacturing process, and has a structure having optimum waveguide configurations and reflecting surfaces and is good in controllability.

[0057] While the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to those skilled in the art on reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A optical multiplexing/demultiplexing device, comprising: a first curved waveguide formed within a substrate; second waveguides; and a planar waveguide formed within the substrate; wherein said first curved waveguide is partly separated by the substrate and discontinuous, said first curved waveguide is separated from said planar waveguide with an equal interval interposed therebetween, said second waveguides are connected to said planar waveguide, a light signal inputted to said first curved waveguide is reflected by said discontinuous portions and demultiplexed and focused on said second waveguides through said planar waveguide every wavelengths, and the light signals inputted to said second waveguides are respectively focused on said discontinuous portions and multiplexed by said first curved waveguide.
 2. The optical multiplexing/demultiplexing device according to claim 1, wherein the shape of said first curved waveguide is circular.
 3. The optical multiplexing/demultiplexing device according to claim 1, wherein said second waveguides are directly connected to said planar waveguide.
 4. The optical multiplexing/demultiplexing device according to claim 1, wherein said second waveguides are provided in plural form with respect to the same wavelength.
 5. The optical multiplexing/demultiplexing device according to 1, wherein a surface for connecting said each second waveguide and said planar waveguide is inclined. 